- pronunciation:
- le
s
n
- features:
- Homophone Note, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
lessens, lessening, lessened |
| definition 1: |
When something lessens, it gets smaller in amount, or its level decreases. It becomes less.
The wind finally lessened and the storm passed.The pain lessened after Mr. Tong took the medicine.- synonyms:
- decrease, lower, reduce
- antonyms:
- increase
- similar words:
- decline, fall, moderate, shrink, wane
|
| definition 2: |
If something lessens another thing, it makes it less. It makes it smaller in amount, or it lowers the level of it.
Taking a shortcut lessens the time to get to school.The aspirin lessened the pain.The chef lessened the amount of salt in the recipe, and the dish tasted better.- synonyms:
- decrease, lower, reduce
|
| related words: |
alleviate, narrow, quiet, weaken |
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Are you looking for the word
lesson?
Lessen and
lesson sound alike but have different meanings.